MATCHING GIFTS

Upcoming Change: Norfolk Southern will be making a change to its charitable gifts program. Starting January 1, 2021, the Foundation will no longer match retiree gifts. The decision was made after a strategic review of other matching gift programs, including those of railroads and major corporations. Through 2020, retired employees can continue to participate in the matching gifts program and the Foundation will match up to $10,000 per year.

Norfolk Southern has enhanced its Matching Gifts Program to make it easier for employees to help communities thrive.

June 1, 2017, the program moved online with vendor, YourCause, allowing many new features and making it easier to give back to our communities.

Replacing our former paper-based system, the online portal:

Allows employees and retirees to donate and request matching gifts in one step, or request matching gifts for check, credit card or stock donations made through other means.

Allows employees and retirees to check the status of matches, and keep track of their donations.

In order to get the company match, a gift request must be entered in the matching gift system. Donor instructions and FAQs are linked below to answer questions you might have about using the online system.

Norfolk Southern is proud of its employees and retirees who contribute to help communities prosper. Your contributions and our company’s matching gifts make a difference – and making a difference is now easier than ever.

Matching Gift FAQs

Matching Gift Guidelines

GENERAL INFORMATION

The Norfolk Southern Foundation was established in 1983 to direct and implement Norfolk Southern Corporation's charitable giving programs. Through strategic investment in educational, cultural, environmental, and human service organizations within Norfolk Southern’s service territory, the Foundation seeks to enhance the quality of life for Norfolk Southern employees and the "livability" of the communities it serves.

As a major employer in large and small communities throughout the eastern United States, Norfolk Southern takes seriously its role as a corporate citizen and its responsibility to commit resources, both human and financial, to help improve those communities for the benefit of our employees and our neighbors. This commitment is acknowledged in Norfolk Southern's Corporate Creed.

In 2014, charitable and other contributions totaled approximately $12.16 million.

GRANT PROGRAMS

UPDATED GRANT GUIDELINES!

The beginning of grant season will be Sept. 1 through Sept. 30th.

Only applicants in our major cities of Norfolk and Atlanta will be eligible. A few exceptions to the territory will be made. Environmental applicants that have projects in and around our facilities in our 22 state territory will be able to apply. Also, Feeding America Foodbanks that have received funding in the past will still be eligible for funding, but no application is necessary. The food banks will be notified in December of general operating support for the upcoming year.

The application will be available on Sept. 1. If you have questions, please contact Katie Fletcher, Director Corporate Social Responsibility via email at Katie.fletcher@nscorp.com.

Grant Guidelines

CORPORATE SPONSORSHIPS

The Norfolk Southern Foundation offers limited sponsorships for certain events in our territory that benefit or promote Norfolk Southern’s business and social interests. Factors considered in sponsorship requests include relationships with charitable organizations, community impact, appropriateness of funding level, and timing of requests. When considering Norfolk Southern as a potential sponsor for events, note that we sell no retail product and have limited interest in naming and exposure opportunities.

The Foundation might differ from other businesses in its determination of what qualifies as a corporate sponsorship. Some events that traditionally are funded through corporate sponsorships are funded by the Foundation through the general Grant Program. Please contact the executive director to inquire about the appropriate funding program for your request.

Although there is no formal deadline for corporate sponsorships, it is suggested that sponsorship requests be made as early as possible before the event.

Sponsorship requests may be submitted by email to the executive director (katie.fletcher@nscorp.com) at any time. Organizations that make direct contact by phone or email, discuss potential requests beforehand, and submit proposals early are more likely to be considered for funding. The Foundation makes no guarantee to review requests submitted by organizations not obtaining pre-approval by the executive director as outlined above. Please refer to Corporate Sponsorship Guidelines for program details.

LOCAL DISCRETION GRANT PROGRAM

The Local Discretion Grant Program is a dedicated small contributions program ($1,000 - $3,000) that promotes community goodwill, diversity, and safety awareness at the local level in each of Norfolk Southern’s 9 operating divisions. This program enables Norfolk Southern to enhance relationships with the communities in which our employees work and live and allows local railroad facilities and employees to share in corporate citizenship. Local Discretion giving supplements rather than replaces the traditional funding programs of the Foundation and enables division representatives to personalize corporate contributions.

Qualifying organizations interested in obtaining Local Discretion Grant funding should make contact with local Norfolk Southern employees with whom they have professional affiliations or connections. The Foundation encourages local division representatives to give back to organizations with which they have working relationships and partnerships. As such, the Foundation does not provide contact numbers for local division representatives. Please refer to Local Discretion Grant Guidelines for program details.